Today along with my step sister Lorna we filmed the next part of my video piece. This involved my beagle, George, roaming around the room freely while i was restrained in wool and bandages. It was interesting for me to watch it back as it was like two worlds colliding or two stories playing at once. One of abuse and fear and one about fun and freedom. Definetly an interesting mix of scenes and emotions that i did not expect after yesterdays recording session. I expected to feel the same emotions of sadness but i didnt. Todays video was all nicey nicey in my eyes because George has a presence of value and love in the video that i do not in my vulnerable state. very interesting and thought provoking for me.
Again today i asked Lorna to write down her thoughts and feelings for todays recording session as i expected her reaction to be different just as mine was.
She said; ”Watching this fim recording made me feel quite upset i could see how happy and calm George was yet it could have been him tied up with a mask on and knowing that in a few moments any other dog be experiencing their last few breaths. It was also quite distressing to watch knowing that this does really happen. It was quite uncomforting to see this because you know that it actually does happen. The film went well in contrast to the previous one and was able to show what an incredible yet horrific difference there is between the lives of these two animals. The loved pet and the lonely, scared test lad animal.”
I suppose that is the beauty of owning a pet. They do not fully understand the actions and emotions of their human masters. Also luckily in this case for George, he is oblivious to the cruel reality of the animal testing world as he has never had to experience it and he never will. He is just a ‘happy go lucky’ pooch!
First Day of Filming Final Piece.
With the help of my step sister Lorna, i did the first recordings for my final video piece. All the planning i had done before hand and the fact that Lorna listened to instrutions meant that we were able to get things done very smoothly and quickly. The piece’s we recorded (four in total) i feel say everything i wnated them too and more. I am very pleased. The reactions that both myself and Lorna felt towards the video gave me confidence that it will be accepted for the same reasons and get a reaction from all its viewers. I felt somewhat uncomfortable when i first watched it back. It felt like acting when i was being filmed but when i watched it back it looked distressing and painful to me.
Lorna said; ‘This film made me feel sorry for animals that are everyday made to suffer and die for no reason at all. It made it all seem pointless with no cause. I felt anygry at anyone who would want to do this all day and anyone who could ever possibly enjoy this as a job. It was depressing to know that animals like our pets have to go through that amount of distress and suffering only to die at the end of it. I felt sad watching it as was being recorded as i saw first hand how upsetting it can be. The video was very upsetting to me.’
When it comes to showing my videos to the audience i hope that people feel a surge of emotion like my sister and i. This is an important subject and well quite simply you should ask yourself would you want to be tested on and mutilated for the sake of some makeup or bleach!
Drawings for layout of video step by step.
Ideas for Final Degree Show
I now it may be abit early but i can not help myself. I have been thinking about the way i might display many of my works for the degree show and have come up with too many ideas. Now that i have central thread to this project and i now knnow what i am doing for the last few weeks, i can happily say that i have a final five ideas for the layout of my video installation.
The video will be either between or intertwined within the cbues i have made. This will represent my video as a statistic among oter abused animals that are forgotten by most. I want this display, however it turns out, to put across the abuse of trust and the theft of identity against animals that go through testing labratories.
Lightbulb moment: Put up a cage or a sheet of wire mesh on the wall and play the video on top. This may represent the isolation more.
I sobbed while watching this video. It is so sad and makes me feel sick!!!
Stumbled across it while researching. Part of me wishes i didnt but too late now.
I sobbed watching this video. Makes me feel sick!!!!
